Norm Van Lier

Before the Jordan era, the Bulls' longest run in the playoffs was to the Western Conference finals against the Warriors in 1975. The Warriors, who beat those Bulls in seven games and went on to sweep the Washington Bullets in the NBA Finals, are celebrating their first title in 40 years after defeating the Cavaliers last week. In May 1975, when current Warriors coach and former Bulls guard Steve Kerr was 9 years old, the Bulls had a 3-2 series lead in the conference finals. But the Warriors prevailed 86-72 in Game 6 at Chicago Stadium to knot the series. Then their deep bench was crucial in ousting the Bulls 83-79 on May 14, 1975, in Game 7 at the Oakland Coliseum. The...